Boys from Young 2 Old

My 2 grandsons (Devin & James) whenever together would turn the house upside down if left alone. I tell them "I don't want any of you messing up the house" and of course, they reply "okay" but left alone for a short while (when even your extra pair of eyes fixed in the back of your head don't seem to see what they're up to) toys are scattered all over, on the shelves, the floor, the dining table, our bedroom (not to mention those hidden under the blanket on my bed).  I tell them to pick them up and the older one would blame his younger brother-"it was Kenken" only to be followed by the younger ones long "NoOooO"  What ever they scattered and picked up were placed back into the toy box (at least we thought) but most of the small ones are discovered under the couch when it is moved to be cleaned underneath.

(Copy Right)
The younger one is  self baptized by Uncle Pop (my brother in law Ton) because he would wanna do what ever else his older brother (Devin) wants to do.  If Devin wants a piece of paper to write, James would ask for one too.  If Devin wants to drink, James wants to drink water too.  So one time at the dinner table, James followed almost everything else his older brother did but what really got us was, Devin had finished his food while James is still working his way around the dreaded vegetables on his plate but when Devin quickly headed for the bathroom and without any sort of announcement from him, James jumps off his chair and was right behind his brother and when we asked where he thinks he was going, he was quick with "ammo'na go poo too"

(Berry Cold)
I wrote earlier about my 2nd oldest son (Kody) who had left for the mainland U.S.  He's okay (thank you for asking) but he called a couple of weeks ago and we talked for awhile and I can hear others in the background so I asked and told me who they were.  That they were spotting at the pool site which was not far from their room and that his cousins started going in because it was getting chilly but when I asked "what's the temperature there now" and came his wildest guesstimate "it's already 75".  The phone almost accidentally by intentionally disconnected with his unexpected reply.  I just told my son "Mount Tapochao at night gets into the mid or high sixties"..."yok".

Young Troopers

Tapochao Smart-A**

With both so eager to go stumbling in the jungles up in Mt. Tapochao with their non stop "please dad, please can we go 'rumble' in the jungle now?  I needed a break from the lawn mower so I called and finally assigned them each their position, "Devin, you're the Team Leader and James, you're the Squad Leader" to which he was very fast to reply in agreement, "aakay".  Not long into the bushes had we gone when the newly assigned Squad Leader started straying off on his own by not following the already well marked path.  Although his self chosen path left him squatting and crawling on all fours underneath the tangled bushes, shrubs & vines, it didn't seem to bother him any had there been (ambush ready) bees or ants along his path that would likely attack at any time.

Team Leader, Squad Leader, Dumb Leader (foregroud)

With the Team Leader probably feeling left behind by the young Squad Leader's unmindful manuevers, he started onto his own unchartered path as if he was somewhat into some competition with the other. Feeling a bit uneasy myself with the two, I sat and watch, the Squad Leader trying to find his way out from underneath the Pandanus to my right while the Team Leader found himself tangled up in some vines yelling out to his younger brother "Kenken, can you come help me" only to get a "wait, I can not get out cos this things are poking me".  I gathered them both.  Sat them down near me when the Squad Leader asked "so dad, what's a squad leader" and I told him, "he's the one that listens to the Team Leader" and he goes, "who, si Devin" I said "yeah".  It didn't take long before he asked again, "so dad, if Devin's the Team Leader and I'm the Squad Leader, what are you, the dumb leader".  Ass'na Juice!!!  Please don't make me hog tie this wise quack and leave him here for the mosquitos.

ST. LUKE MEDICAL CENTER
(Global City-Events Drafted & Posted so much later)

And so here's MyPat and I on the 12th floor of the hospital and as usual, MyPat is busy analyzing documents handed to us by the different doctors while I'm here with a somewhat difficult prognosis of yesterdays "Pinoy" events as I'll try and dissect them for you to easily absorb.

We finally made it inland at 9 "fee-em" (p.m.) after a long journey on our bamboo raft and luckily, we weren't wet after all that two and a hap-non stop strenuous paddling, hitting monstrous waves that occasionally reached three quarters (sometimes 2 dimes and a nickel) to a foot high.  And that is the main reason why we ended up here in this hospital due to dilapidation for the lack of water.

DAY 1

Although we weren't required to be here until Saturday, we hopped on a TAXI yesterday as our Eeball Kanniball dry bearrr zoomed us on the Pinoy Super Highway, mindlessly racing and cutting off others like no body's business.  I'm fearless (or at least I thought I was) and used to this crappy Pinoy maneuvers but believe me and I'll tell you this again, had you been in my 'chai's 9 and a hab 3W choose' from my Athletes Foot, you'll most likely not end up with an underwear bearing brand new multiple skid marks but probably one that's loaded with one stinky bomb-just ready to explode.  That will be the outcome experience one will get from these Pinoy drivers and I strongly advise that you read the water marked fine prints (if any) on your insurance papers but if you don't have one, you can write your dying will to me even before you think of taking a ride on the Pinoy Super Highway.  As for MyPat and I on this day, we got to our destination in one piece and got a head start familiarizing ourselves on the different floors.

After we thought we've Aced the hospital's maze with no problem, we hopped on a shuttle to the Ayala Mall where I waited almost 3 hrs. for MyPat as she gets a MAKE-OVER.  This particular mall is nothing compared to our numerous malls back home-keep wishing.  It's large and one can easily get lost among the hundreds and hundreds of others going about their own business and so, while MyPat decided to go on a make-over, I hung around close to the parlor watching, like a scary little chichirika that dares to fly off far and get lost having never to return.  I STOOD MY GROUND in my self proclaimed nest waiting for mama bird to come out of the parlor and just get the hell out of dodge but don't blame me!  I have no problem getting lost at home as I can always be found but not here.  Hell no!

DAY 2 (FASTING)

If the Pinoy traffic wasn't fast (at a screeching halt), we were fasting (avoid eating or drinking anything) the previous night for our first "procedures" with the different doctors.  We had to be at the hospital before 8 in the morning so we got up early but madam MyPat was taking her sweet time 'toying' the net but when she asked what time it was (7:45) and I said "past 8" she was like "failaal-sa schiw" only to get a (low but crispy clear) cuss when she found out what the right time was when we reached the hotel lobby.

First to the WELLNESS CENTER on the 5th floor.  This seemed to be our favored portion of the hospital.  There's a comfortable lounge area, coffee, soup, different pastries and other dispensable drinks, a never ending table of sweets and a great discovery-outlets to plug in and play the net and the occasional stare from other (home) locals whom we both aren't sure whether they were locals (CNMI or Guam or the other Pacific Islands).

Then there's the blood pressure check, weight and height then off to the reason we had fasted for, the blood extraction, ECG (what ever it stands for), doctors consultation, x-ray and the 2 small cups for (you know what) specimen. Different doctors for different consultations plus the occasional visits to the Insurance Office (on the 10th floor) for coverage consultations.

DAY 3

More consultations and treatments followed on this day which practically took the whole day again. The different appointments on different floors and wings of the hospital can somewhat be confusing at times too but all went well.  Had we clocked ourselves in when we first got to the hospital, we could have earned millions in PHP each for being at the hospital more than 8 hrs. but that's okay, we can give back to them for the health services rendered us.

DAY 4

It was Sunday and there were no schedule procedures so we planned to visit the Local Pinoys in 'Karamba' Laguna but that had to be changed.  We went to the mall AGAIN!!!  Only this time, we had intended to catch the south bound bus to Laguna but once at the mall, the 'planning network' went haywire and so, the attention was focused again on the same parlor as before.  From an agreed one hour TOUCH UP to a frigging forever wait on my part.  Men'an juice wo nge-alomw santuron.  Back to square one and off to Bourbon Street of Makati Avenue we go.  And then...I felt I didn't wanna go on with the events that followed before departing the Pinoy isle but I can safely say, all went well with the medical check-up but as far as MyPat goes, we still have another upcoming journey to follow through.

Arizona Bound

My 2nd eldest son Kody called earlier this morning upon arriving at his final destination.  I was in the kitchen while he and his mom-MyPat conversed over the phone.  Although this is his first (long) lone travel ever taken as all his past travels were only from home to Garapan or a brisk walk down phase IV.

And so MyPat tells me our son was so tired, his behind had probably bruised or flattened more from seating on the long flight from Narita to Los Angeles onward to his final destination in Arizona. But all in all, he made it there in one piece, safe and sound.  Now, we just wait for any complaint(s) or positive input from him regarding his new atmosphere.

All his baggage made it through in one piece and now his sister is calling to find out more of his travel but that's not the real reason why she's calling.  It's their supply of ppu's the real reason she's calling.  That of course is on it's way to them as requested via 'the speediest way possible' and by that, I meant 'speediest speeding mach whatever' as MyPat shows me their ppu is already posted on FACEBOOK .  Son-a-by-gun!! That was fast but when it's my turn to get something, it goes around the world 3-4 times via 'snail mail' before it gets into my hands.  I so wanna own a fast jet for this sort of deliveries but then again, one would only say "dream on Ko, dream on".

Back to LIFE

HE's ALIVE or better yet-"he's finally tired of playing dead and has decided to come back to the living world". And with all those forgotten and neglected years comes payback-coupled by several dull patches of gray hair ".  And that my friend is the outcome for being the grand dad to an additional (4 and still counting) grand kiddos aside from Devin who had inched not only in height but to include in circumference.  Yes and I'll admit I've neglected blogging but the other night while toying around the net, yes, i said "toying" and that's for the simple fact that, had I been 'surfing' with this gadget clearly identified by your kind as an iPad, it would have been dripping wet from all my surfing the net with which brings me to another situation.  Had you not paid attention or even bothered to read the Users Manual that should have been included with your hardware?  If so, don't worry for you're not alone and I'm thrilled to say, I'm damn lucky for not been on the list of  all 'you' ignorant idiots who just wanna jump right into operating the hardware without going over the manual.  Truth is, this piece of hardware I'm utilizing now doesn't even belong to me and when I took it, there wasn't a manual anywhere near it for me to review prior to operating it.  But that doesn't make me an idiot like you because I have my very own personal back-up hardware.  It's not what you call iPad but rather the most sophisticated and idiot proof piece that will never be available anywhere.  So to all you proud iPad owners, I'm proud to introduce to you-MyPat.  And may I add that it's User Friendly but to simply put it in layman's term, even a new born is not a problem with MyPat as it's an ALL TIME Virus Free version (unless of course attracted from me).

Anyway, in your hardware's package (again depending if you had gotten it lawfully and not just snatched it off from the neighbor's picnic table), is a booklet or the manual which an idiot like yourself would have skipped reading or simply thrown in the garbage but had you taken the time to even glance through, you would have come across some of the things you should avoid to prolong the life of your equipment so se'rap yo mouf and allow me to list a few given examples and I promise you not that I will be quick with it so here they are:

DOUGHNUT

1. use as a beer coaster 
2. use as your chaser platter or serving tray
3. use as a personal visor to shade your ugly face from the scorching sun
4. hold over your (other) head to shield the rain from your crummy hair

and here's the moronic one, "KEEP FROM GETTING WET or MOISTURE".  Now, can anyone please explain how one avoids their equipment from the moisture or from getting wet while 'surfing' the net, let alone, avoid it from getting tangled up in the net?  Duh!  I can practically go scuba diving at the Grotto with MyPat without having to worry so good luck on surfing (and getting tangled up) the net with your iPad.

But what was I here to write about?  You people are getting me off track with your monkey business and now I have to rewind.  Okay wait...OH!  There!  I got it now but please just bare with me because if you were in my (size 9wwwdotcom) choose, you'd be collecting your scattered brain off the floor which have been preventing you from thinking straight like me.  Wait!  Lami gachung.  I was just thinking of it but then I forgot again.  I think it's these constant 'authenticate' flashes in front of me that are preventing me from hacking into the main board planted in my head and had you not been staring down there, I would have been straight to the point from the get-go so SNAP OUT OF IT BIMBO!  It's the head up here I'm talking about.

Okay. I got it now. Like I said, I was "toying" on the net when I came across an old photo from some odd years back while stationed in Korea and I thought I'd share it with all you good smart...giving...friendly...very nice...oh-you get where I'm going so don't push it. I may just call you an idiot again. Now go have fun on the link below and I CAN HEAR YOU THINKING so keep your comments to yourselves.

www.vetfriends.com/militarypics/large.cfm?picture=18662

Touching Up for Da Catch Up Post

Last post was September 3 of last year? Boy! Time sure flies by like mach 100. More post coming as I get my camera ready for some pictures to attach with each post. Not much going on except for the "Run Off Election" between the incumbent leadership of Governor Benigno Fitial and Lt. Governor Eloy Inos of the Covenent Party, and Governor Elect Hienz Hofschnieder and Lt. Governor Elect Arnold Palacios of the Republican Party come 23rd of this month. Wish both parties luck as they'll both need it.

Stump'n Icon

Iconic Stump

I took the family on a short island cruise 2 Sundays ago and just so happened I had brought the camera along. We were coming up Isa Drive along Capitol Hill when I remembered what I had been wanting to take a photo of. Two curves uphill and to the left side of the road is this tree stump, painted yellow, black and red. From an angle, one would possibly think this tree was carved out just for show but in actuality, it appears to be a bird's head on a long neck-be it the stump. On top of what is painted as the head, grows some new greens to which are kept occasionally trimmed.

I recall also when personnel from Public Works would wack out the weeds, pull unwanted overgrown, trim trees and the likes. Well, this is one of the trees that was cut down to the trunk to about 5 or 6 feet long. Every time new limbs try to grow on the top, it is cut down again and again and again until it was recently thought up by some imaginative mind to spruce it up a bit.

Whoever it is that is keeping this tree trunk alive, you are doing a mighty good deed for everyone to every occasion. I can only say, to present, this one, had something to do with "Independence Day" as it had also represented in the past some other icons like the Leprechaun (sporting a green hat) for the month of March and had also graduated with the many graduates in 2008 as it is displayed with a black cap and a tassel and recently-the good 'ol stars and stripes hat in the photo above.

A,B,C's

Try singing along as you read. This is Devin's style of a,b,c...

A, B, C, D, E, F, E,-H,I,J,K,ELO, MEN, O,P, now I know my a,b,c, next time I want you to sing with me, Q,R,S,-T,U,V,-W,X,-Y and Z, now I know my a,b,c, next time I want you to sing with me. clap-clap.

Monsoon Flowers

Blossoms

Last Friday wasn't much of a Friday like any other as the wind was still blowing from the west and with it came more gray clouds. It started getting boring come 3 p.m. so here I was again. I looked out the backyard and saw this beautiful flower that sprouted from what probably is from the same species as the taro. I grabbed the camera and began taking some pictures. I guess I got a bit carried away from snapping as I went around the house taking pictures of almost every blossom there was to snap at-in a somber way. That's one thing about the monsoon season. It brings with it an array of colors. Beau-tee-ful!

Rising Sun & Sabors

Da Opening & Fury Claw

Lang & Whatevers

Bogie & Da Risen Sun

Purple Cluster & Oranges
Hiding Claws & Hi-B
Fury Lion & Tai-bo

Sin-sir & White cotton

SOME FRUITS & VEGGIES

Boorie & Artist

And some nuts too

Poo & Pools

Kenneth's visit

Junior, our eldest son, visited us Saturday evening with his family (Devin, baby Kenneth and their mom Catherine) just as our binoculars were fixed on the tube watching "3:10 to YUMA". The concentration on the tube broke when we heard Devin's loud voice "hello...Kyler...". I went up the front door and there he was with his mom also carrying baby Kenneth who was all bright eyed and smiling (probably happy to see his old man again).

The Magic

Junior, Catherine and baby Kenneth left around 10 or so and so we went back to watching more DVDs when Devin came up to me and wanted me to "make magic". I use to trick this boy into holding something (be it candy or gum) in my closed palm, stick out the index finger of the same hand and play with his ear while at the same time saying "magic, magic...", open my hand and show whatever it was in my hand to him to his amazement. That is the magic and now, I'm running out of it as I don't have candy or gum for it. One time he came up to me, grabbed my hand, put it to his ears and there he was on his own "magic, magic" and when I opened my empty hand in front of him to find nothing, tried his luck on his other ear hoping the magic would work. Ai adai this boy. Another time he attempted this, all he found was a young betel nut in my hand which he gave up on. No more magic that time but last night, I had to tell him that my magic only works when the sun is up and shining. "Ooooo! When the sun come up" and I just replied "yes" and that was the end of the subject-at least for now.

Devin!-again

Pat and I took him to Sunday service but on our way there to Church, I told him to behave during the service. He said "yes" but wasn't looking at me but facing straight forward as if to say "why bother". "Devin, do you hear me" again "yes" but I guess I don't have to say what happened in church as you would already know.

SPAMALICIOUS

Rolling thunder here and there. It's been like this for 2 days and nights-I think. Right after my honey bun left for work this morning, I decided to cook something for my grumbling stomach. Besides the drizzling rain and occasional thunder rolling and our son Kyler with the television, everything was quiet for me in the kitchen as I went about with my preparation. Guess what it is I'm cooking for breakfast. Yep!!! The same thing Kyler had earlier when I came out to see off honey bun to work.

The peaceful moment vanished when my Par Ton came up the door unexpectedly and attempts to get my attention "oyy-oyy". He really got my attention alright because he frightened me from my concentration as I was dicing the SPAM-Oooops, said it. He giggled and walked out towards the back of the house probably to pick walawal. What else is there to do in the backyard except pick leaf but as the saying goes "do onto others what you want others done to you", it was done. As he came straight by the kitchen window, I yelled out and boy-you should have seen the look on his face. He was more scared than I was as he abruptly turned towards my direction-rounded eyes, puckered lips and a stance as if he was going to do the chacha with his back arched backward just as a scared cat would. I can't help but laugh at his reaction. He continued off walking and mumbled "se-lomw".

That's my Kompairi

Wait a minute!!!!!

Something's very wrong here. This can't be his picture. My kompairi has no teeth-unless of course, he had them fixed. He sent me the wrong picture. I told him to send the one with his best smile and this is what he sent. Dang it par!

U-1-na-b WIL SMITH you.

Rev&Tax / Devin

I'm not much of a person who likes to wait in line-most especially when the line is unusually longer than expected. This one though, took a turn for some laughs as Devin (our grandson) came along with me.

1 Day Ahead
My better half decided to task me with payment at the Revenue and Taxation (known for short, Rev&Tax). This was towards the end of the month and to make matters worst, it was "end of the quarter" when businesses and others scramble to pay up or be in deep shit. I had just taken her (my better half) to Rev&Tax the previous day just to pay for a simple business license. I waited in the car for what I thought was and endless wait before she came back out, hopped on the car and said "man, there's too many..." I just thought "frustrating and plain arrogant people"

The Next Day

Devin and I got there the next day to find the line spreading from east to west, taking up one side of the entire hallway which was lined with portable chairs. I just held onto my grandson's hand and stood at the entrance observing what was going on when a glass door to my right swung open and out came two people. Two individuals in line nearest to us stood up and entered the door where the two others came out from. We gradually walked to the end of the line, seated and timed the process. Every 10 or 15 minutes, we would all get up, moved one or two chair(s) over until one or two finally enters the cashier's booth area to do whatever business they had to do. I was only there to pay for one damn business license but now stuck in line with the rest.

Picking a Fight

Devin was somewhat getting bored and so he got off my lap after several attempts, stood for awhile when a guy came through the main entrance with his radio blurring some transmission. Devin let loose of me, approach the guy and there he was with a very clear "brod, you want fight". Everyone seating in the hallway who had been observing my boy laughed. I called for him but he kept behind the guy with the radio who didn't pay much attention to my boy's comment.

Getting Fresh

Two females sat to my left (one Filipino & the other Chamorro) before this big Caucasian dude with long beard, mustache and long crummy hair. He had on a T-shirt, shorts with slippers (zorrie) not to mention his round belly. This was the same dude who told me "Let him go. He's only a kid. Let him roam around...besides, he's keeping us entertained". I was a bit uncomfortable with my little one mindlessly roaming and entering the office spaces as I would constantly get off my behind and go after him. Another woman employee came out from one of the doors and there goes Devin running after her "Ay girlfriend-you got money". Laughter came from amongst us with the Chamorro commenting "si dad todo fumunagi enao" or something to that effect.

Feed Time

The line was moving slowly as frustration starts to built into everyone of us waiting. Some employees were seen roaming from door to door before this traffic started calming down. Then we saw some exiting the main entrance with their purses or what have they when the female Chamorro said "esta fanan oran lunch-no" (it's probably lunch time). I just thought to myself "11:30 and I'm still here". Now I can really feel the frustration building in me that I had forgotten about my boy who was no where in sight. I got up and looked around when one of the ladies in line before us pointed towards a door as if to tell me "he went in there". Sure enough, I knocked and entered and there he was sitted with 3 women employees who were having lunch-him too. Our sister-in-law Mona was one of them. I just told them how sorry I was and Mona just said it was okay as it was her lunch time. "I'll bring him out to you when he's finish eating".

Escort Service

I went back out and the Chamorro lady asked "monge i lai mu" (where's your kid) I responded comically "machochochu" (his working). The Caucasian dude "where" same respond "his working" he again, jokingly "he probably has more contacts around here than his pops" and everyone tend to agree with a little giggle. These occurrences made time past as we were slowly (but moving) towards the cashier's booth. A few minutes later, Mona came out holding Devin's hand with his other hand holding on to a doughnut. Another comment from the Caucasian dude to my boy "you work here" with a simple "yeah" from Devin who was truly working on the doughnuts.

Santa Clause

I think it was past 2 p.m. already and Devin had found a new playmate, a daughter of another person who came later and sat herself towards the end of the line. They were both running up and down the hallway and I could care less already of what my boy does when he finally approached the Caucasian dude whom he had gained some friendly trust with, stood in front of him and sort of surveyed him from top to bottom as I and others observed. He approached the dude, placed each of his small hands on each of the Caucasians knees and asked "you Santa Clause" the dude replied "that's my brother". Devin asked again "you shower" dude replies "yes I showered" Devin looking down the dudes feet with his hands still on dudes knees "you wass yo feet" dude replied "yes I washed my feet". I knew where the next question was going I just had to stop him from going further. Then came the Chamorro lady "tomtum boy dai enao lai mu".

Although there is no moral to this story, it only shows how much young ones can easily take your mind off from things you constantly are aware of around you. They make you smile, laugh, good ice breakers to avail of conversation to others whom you hardly know and most of all, great entertainers too.

Church Comedian

The Parish Priest, during one of his Sunday homily, stopped and told the congregation "wait, we have a commercial" and that's when Devin went up front, stood and faced the mass attendees-making face. It was a laugh too which brings me to think of placing ankle cuffs on him next time we go to Sunday church.

Our key players

FUTURE MUSICIAN & A STUNT DRIVER

As you can see from this clip how much mom can ignore our boy while not only singing to her but actually playing the uke for her, but mom is too busy working on the computer nay. But look towards the end of the clip as our grandson ends his song and places his music instrument down slowly.

"That's our Devin"

and how about our other grandson who is also coming up after him? He's so handsome that he smiles only when he wants to. His maternal grandfather categorizes him into the "looking committee" because he'll just look at anything of interest to him and I mean "look" as in gaze, eyes fixed and every other word that so much resembles look in da dang dictionary. Now WATCH!!!!

One plays the Uke and the other drives a "baby-walker"

LONG DISTANCE

CRITICAL INQUIRY

I was awaken from my "power nap" by our youngest son as he was handing me the phone saying "uncle Wayne". Wayne is presently residing in Salem, Oregon and his call sort of got me a bit worried this time. You see, our aunt Vicky was admitted in a hospital somewhere in Portland as she is still awaiting operations. This was why I was a bid worried by Wayne's call.

PHONE CONVERSATION

No greetings or anything but sort of like he was just calling from the neighbor's house to invite me for a drinking session.

I took the phone and listened for a while. I can hear other people in the background and were a little too loud compared to my weariness then I answered, "hello"he goes"Tikk, can you tell me what large reefs we got back there that are good fishing spots" I got to thinking for awhile, "what da hell is Wayne up to..." and responded back to his inquiry "Esmeralda" and he yells "Esmeralda", then I heard several voices in the background as if surprised and repeated after my brother "Esmeralda". Then Wayne comes back and asked "any more reefs that you know of" and I told him "Zalandia" and just as Wayne repeated Zalandia, more yells came from the background and I had to asked Wayne just what the heck he was up to. He said they were just sitting and talking of fishing spots (located) here at home but no one among them knew their names so that was the reason of his call. "They weren't just sitting and talking, I bet (everyone a dollar) they were sitting, talking and drinking too". And for you my brother Wayne, the picture above tells a whole lot of story in itself.

Among those sitting and talking (besides looking at the camera lens), mixing up a chew or two and drinking, these are just a few of the fishermen that can sum up a great (if not good) fishing stories of the Northern Islands. And the next time you decide to give me a call, ask first how I or my pet puppy are doing. Arra so?

Summer In

DEVIN POWER

Our grandson will be turning 3 years old come July and we have yet to plan on what to do on his birthday. Well, with the strain and burdensome economic situation we are presently experiencing, maybe a small family bar-b-que to show some love on his birthday.

Anyhow, he and I were glued to his favorite television channel-2 when power abruptly shuts off, he turned to me with a "what da hell" look and said "si Lucy". I asked "what about 'si Lucy" when he said "si Lucy turned off da power" I can't help but laugh as I came to understand what he meant by "si Lucy". He was simply telling me "...C.U.C. turned off the power".

VROOM, VROOM

I told my 2nd oldest son to cut the grass down at our mom's place approximately two weeks ago today. He did just that and was later dropped off to our house by our folks later that evening. He had used my brush cutter on that day and because I had not seen him when he was dropped off, I had no idea whether he had brought it back, so the next morning, I went out to the storage to see if he had brought it back. The gas container, the brush cutter line and my pair of cutters which he had also brought with him on this particular mission, were in the storage but no brush cutter.

I called him out and asked if he had brought the brush cutter back after cutting the grass when he simply told me that he had already put it back into the storage. I just told him to go look because I just can't seem to find it except for the three other items. He looked, came back and said he had stored it back in the storage but isn't there anymore. I asked if he had loaned it to anyone else but only stated he had not.

I didn't make a great deal out of the present situation as I only thought that maybe a family member had come and borrowed the brush cutter without us knowing. Besides, we woke up very late that morning and maybe they came and took it while we slept. A few days past and my better half started saying "maybe someone came and stole it" but I just thought "why would they only steal my brush cutter and not the rest of my tools". Not long after that, I began thinking the same thought as my wife except furious over what others would do with other people's belonging. Just a final word on this matter, "I truly hope whoever took my brush cutter would truly enjoy operating it, without it kicking debris into both his eyes and blind them"-just a thoughtful curse.

ANOTHER TRIP

The boys left on a fishing trip north again. This time around, only my par (West), my brother in law John and the Master Canoe carver Tuughumaay (and 9 other crew members) went on it. The boat will off load passengers in Alamagan, Pagan and Agrigan prior to heading all the way north where a national monument has been proposed. This should be an exciting trip as it will be this voyages first trip to the last island to the north. Can't wait to hear about it from the boys.

Un-announced

Da Electric Company
Didn't someone say "...come June, power outages will be a thing of the past" or was that meant to be the other months of June in the distant future? Not that my name is Francisco to be Frank or Tikko but quite frankly, I'm sure we all share the same frustrations over the many power outages we are now experiencing EVERYDAY. First came the scheduled outages followed by the unscheduled ones and the next thing we know, frequent outages that are burning up our appliances that we can't afford to have fix back into operation because we spent more on paying utility bills from the same electric provider that's responsible to the damages in the first place. Hafa Adai masusesedi? Essor salappi!!!!

Stimulated Situation
It was reported that the Chalan Kanoa branch of the U.S. Postal service was swarmed with a lot of people checking their mail boxes for their "Stimulus Checks" a few days ago. The Postal parking was filled with cars all the way to the Round House on the south. There must have been one hell of a traffic situation down there on that day. Let's blame and thank Uncle Sam for creating such a chaos. Ready? One, Two, Three-all together now. THANK YOU UNCLE SAM. Anyhow, it was one heck of a relieve to be able to par up a bit with bills. Thanks for stimulating me too.

Gas! Gas! Gas!
Had you been in the military, you'd be scrambling with your chemical suit as every second counts or your ass is grass. In our particular situation, we are exercising burning less fuel for more time-time your vehicle will take you until the engine chokes to death for the lack of fuel and decides to make you walk, hitch a ride (which is against local law) or find some other means to get to refuel.

Back in the 70's, we were lining up at the few gas pumps on island to fuel up our vehicles and whatever container(s) we may bring along with us. My late uncle owned a Willey's back then. He would hook up his military type trailer, stack it with his G.I. fuel gallons and any other container that will hold liquid (which include empty plastic Clorox containers) and get in a long and slow tedious line on a scheduled day to buy fuel. Because I was the mucus one back then, I was told to walk back home and get lunch as once you take your vehicle out of the line, you end up at the end to start over again which was something you don't want to do as most times, fuel supply runs out and that was before it was limited to something like 10 or 20 gallons per vehicle. I come back with lunch and my uncle was still lining up not anywhere close to the pump yet.

Present gag
As if the price of fuel is not high enough, some idiot decided to play some stupid rumor that the gas price was to climb past 5 bucks per gallon starting around 2:00 p.m. on that given day. I was driving past the San Vicente Mobil station when I first came across an unusual long line to the pumps only thinking "Stimulus". I came up past the Kagman Mobil where there's another unusual long line of cars probably waiting to gas up. The same thought came to me again "Stimulus".

Around 4:00 p.m. as I was heading back up the same road from Kagman, cars were still lined up at the Mobil station but the board still read "4.62" per gallon. This just kept me wondering why people were really lining up at the fuel pumps. This got me thinking on my way up to Capitol Hill as I was heading to pick up my better half from work. The gas gauge on our vehicle was registering a quarter tank. Should I go and fill up?

The first thing that came out from my better half was "has the gas price gone up already". I just asked her back "is it suppose to go up". Not taking any chances, we headed down town to the nearest ATM and on our way down, Shell Marianas located in (local) Puerto Rico still indicates the same price for unleaded. We got some money out from the bank and headed to the middle road Mobil station to fuel up.

Hyped Old Lady
Surprisingly, there were only a few vehicles lined up at the gas station by the time we got there. I went inside to pay for the gas and found myself in line behind an Oriental couple and an elderly Chamorro woman. The elderly's turn to pay her purchase and as she approached the cashier's counter she asked "is the price of gas really going up" only to be responded by the Philippine national lady cashier "I don't know ma'am-we don't get da memo yet" and I interrupted from behind the elderly "can I give you a memo to bring down the price of gas to a dollar" as they both laughed followed by a comment by the elderly "ai ya sina mohon no laihu".

The Gas Attendant
I found our nephew working the pump on my car as he conversed with my better half who was still in the car. I asked him if their station was busy earlier and he responded "you should have been here this afternoon uncle. There were more cars and more people here than during the grand opening". We gathered from him that people were also arguing as to who came first in line to get gas. Oh well, All is well...I think.

4 extra credit
A hooker was approached by two "nit-wits" as one asked, "how old are you" and she responded "terry dollah". The other nit-wit asked "what's your telephone numbah" and was responded back "too, ay,ay-ay, ay, lie, lie". Followed by another question "and what can you do" she responded "wrong time, shode time, airy time".

My harmless thoughts

PROBLEMATIC SITUATIONS
Our islands are full of guest workers, their families, acquaintances and what have they...but this is due particularly on our part as islanders. We invite them over to work, to fill positions not particularly inviting to today's generation. Like someone once put it, "we can fill these positions-even as a farmer but there has to be a pen always dangling from our pockets" even when you are sweating from tilling your farm.

Now the Feds are coming to run Immigration as they are better aware of who to admit into our islands and who not to (like my sister Nat likes to put it "duh"). If my body is covered with tattoo, would that mean I am Yakuza? Or, if my eyes are slanted, would that mean I'm Chinese, Japanese or Korean. We all have special characteristics from birth too. We have locals with slanted eyes (that we have termed them likely as Chinese even if they're not).

We have prostitution too just like any other part of the world but that's just another trait that's here to stay. They may be arrested, gone through the system and released just to be re-arrested again for the same crime. Some have been deported, some still remain as they are given a second chance to try and abide with the law and never to do it again. Yeah right!!!! Again, Nat would say "duh" to this. Signed by the President of the good U.S. of A, Immigration becomes controlled by the Feds as we sit back and see what happens.

PEW Monument
Whatever PEW stands for (acronym or not) I don't agree with what they are doing. Although these entire archipelago is under the U.S. by Constitution, I think they still have to consult with the residence who rely entirely on local resources like our open waters to include its contents and the land and what it holds preciously for its people to survive on. We islanders have survived on our local resources even long before SPAM (or canned goods) were ever introduced. We have our coconuts, taro patches, breadfruits and the plentiful local food we eat with our livestock that's also locally raised by individual families. So why do we need a monument for? A place were residents can't harvest crops or fish to provide for his family, let alone "no take zone". Bunch of crappy propaganda. What benefit do we get out of this?

RELOCATING THE MARINES
No problem relocating the 9,000 + Marines from Okinawa but training is another problem that will forever stay once they start. Field training includes defacing the environment as it will involve vehicles, a couple hundreds personnel at a time, beach landings, regularly scheduled live bombings on Farallon De Medenilla and now, the thought of military trainings on the island of Pagan. Those humongous malli'bong on that beautiful island will all be in for a great treat.

National Monument

Easter past and the entire family (on my wife's side) did not camp out on Mt. Tapochau as has been for the past years. My old folks left for the mainland followed by my daughter's boyfriend who left for Texas as he joined the Air Force.

Then there's the 3 day 2nd Refaluwasch Symposium held last week from Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I was able to attend all the 3 days' function and one subject that I really find interesting was the monument that is suppose to be created (right here) in our very own backyard. With a stroke of the United States' President, this area (containing 3 islands-Ascuncion, Urakas and Maug) to the most northern tip of this Archipelago, will unfortunately become "a monument, a sanctuary, a not take zone" and if that's really not a mouthful, how about "a Federal takeover" of what is and has been a playground for local fishermen who go as far north looking to a good catch to bring back to their families. With a stroke of the United States' Presidents' pen (be it permanent marker or a cheap government issued pen), the 3 islands including 200 miles of the vast surrounding water around them, becomes "federalist" where locals no longer can fish-let alone, take anything-A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G and E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G.

PEWS says creating such a monument will bring tremendous $$$ to the CNMI that will greatly assist the local economy but has yet to identify where this is coming from or how much. That it will bring more tourist from the world all over who will in turn spend buku bucks just to go and see this monument but what is there to see other than the vast body of water surrounding these 3 islands. Are the tourists or visitors if I may, really are going to dive the deepest water in the world called the Marianas Trench, proudly wear and advertise something identifying them as "I DOVE THE MARIANAS TRENCH" or something like that.

Anyone (including you and I) can make up the same design except, maybe put a little manta'kiya on it, print it up on the back of a thousand or so t-shirts and sell them to our visitors who either come out here to snorkel or dive the local dive spots as they too will be considered to have dived the same Marianas Trench. Heck, our islands are close enough to the trench-that qualifies one to wear such an apparel already.

Personally, I think PEWS should seriously look at the 2 bomb pits on Tinian and work on having it declared a National Monument. These served a great deal during WWII which eventually brought the war to an end. Concentrate on giving these locations a major face lift to include the old runways (that can be utilized by the anticipated military build-up) remodel or rebuild the old Japanese communication facilities and bunkers and once included in the list of National Monuments, people all over will start coming. Now that's worth calling a monument, something that can be easily visited by plenty and not just by a handful of visitors.

Leave the 3 most northern islands alone! Don't even think of them and their surroundings as a National Monument because they're not. They're our islands and our livelihood.

Bad Liars

My brother-in-law's truck ran into a problem as it was parked outside a gas station for gas. I'll just go ahead and call him "John One" as I'll be writing also about my other brother-in-law John whom I'll call "John Two".

John Two (the family Grease Monkey) came to my house the other night and so we decided to check John One to see what we should do with his problematic truck. We drove (his truck) down to Arabwal where we found and informed him that we needed his assistance pretty badly. We had parked his truck out of sight where John Two and I thought John One won't find it. He asked us "why" and we simply informed him we ran into the guardrails heading down from Capitol Hill.

John One just excused himself and went off into the dark and boy-did we really mess up. John One walked towards where we had parked his truck and-yeah, he saw it because he really shouted back towards our direction "YOU LIARS". As the saying goes "Once a Marine, ALWAYS a Marine". We thought he walked into the dark to relieve himself but boy-did we think wrong, the "Local Marine" conducted his recon and found his parked truck. So okay, the Grease Monkey and I make bad liars. Now the truck is really parked for good as it won't even bother to run.

VerveEarth

I was checking my email the other day when I came across this

TIKK,Your blog ISLAND IN BLUE caught our attention. I'm the CEO of a recently launched startup for bloggers. We are searching the internet for the world's best blogs by geography, and we found yours for the Northern Mariana Islands. I would like to invite you to our site which plots the content of the internet on an interactive map of the world. VerveEarth is an entirely new way to surf the net. It shows spatial and geographic connections that a blog search engine could never reveal. The site is http://www.verveearth.com/. Once on board, you can easily claim your blog a place in the VerveEarth world. The site is free to use and a way to drive new traffic to your blog. If our vision resonates with you, please give us a mention or add our widget to your blog. Please see our FAQ for any questions, and I welcome your feedback. http://www.verveearth.com/ Kind Regards,ClaytonCEO VerveEarth.comEmail clayton@verveearth.com,

I just said "what the heck", give it a try so I registered and out came what appeared to be a world map (somewhat like "Google Earth") that enables one to browse around to every location in the world. It seems though that this site is a bid slow in terms of who has registered as indicated by the few registered sites showing but that I think will change in a few once more people registers and gives it a try.

Well Mr. CEO of verveearth, I may have not written to you about the site but thanks for reading.

Other than that, I'm bored and Devin is not around to give me a headache. I have no beer and I'm tired from whacking the darn grass that had grown around the house. Just had to do it or else my little Devin will be using it as a hiding place from me. Did I say "I have no beer". Where's the rubbing alcohol?

Da Pagan@venture

First leg
The trip north last week was as calm as can be. The water was great as our path north was smooth as we took our travel time at 9 knots. We had arranged our "watch" hours from the start of our leg north until our destination-Pagan, but we had cargo too-to off load in Alamagan.

It was midnight into our trip when I was awaken for my watch which ended within sight of Guguan around 4:00 a.m. I woke up the next watch, when to sleep for a few and before I knew it, we were fast approaching Alamagan. There were cargo to off load there but the task was much easier when Ben Santos came out with one of his brothers on a motor boat to meet up with our ship. A couple of cargo were off loaded into their boat and in less than an hour, we were off on our way to Pagan which was about 3 hours away.

Pagan-finally
Upon arriving Pagan, Sid and his young brother Sandy also came out on their motor boat where we also off loaded some supplies. Sid decided to tag along on the ship as we were to do some trolling around the island. Some won't believe it but the trolling catch there are monstrous in size. Talk about yellow fin/ white tuna and wahoo which were the most catch. Deep bottom launched us Onaga, yellow and black Pakapaka, Gindai and some Karikari. These were all pretty good fish (especially in the pots and pans).

Night dive
I became the boatman for the divers that night. The moon was a bit high for night diving so we had to wait it out until it sets around 7:30. With the tide just beginning to rise as I dropped off the divers, the swells were also getting bigger but I had to stay the whole time with them as I wait for them to land their catches in the boat.

D @venture
I went inland the next morning as Sid Pagan had requested that I assist his brother Sandy slaughter some cows to take back to Saipan. Sandy and I wasted no time in executing this task. We hopped onto his old but operable A.T.V. and off we went to the foot of the volcano where about 50-60 cattle were spotted but once they took scent of our presence, off they go stampeding on a southerly direction. We took off after them (on foot) but they had a better start than we did.

Da calf trail
Sandy and I took a small trail when we spotted one of Sandy's dogs running about behind us. With no hesitation, Sandy just grabbed the dog behind its neck and started slapping it like silly but I guess that's how he trains them to behave better as they all do-except for this naughty one. We continued on the small trail as Sandy leads the way when something white came pass me from the right that I thought the dog came back but hell no. It was a calf that kept trotting in front of me towards Sandy's direction so I gave Sandy a light whistle. He turned, grabbed the calf and up onto his shoulders as he continues. Sandy had to tie the poor animal to a small branch as we came to a ravine. We continued searching for the herd but couldn't locate them as Sandy told me they had probably gotten down to "the lake".

We decided to go further south but first, we must advice the others who were still waiting down at the village of our intention. We did just that but Sid Castro decided that Sandy hang back and prepare whatever cargo that was going out to the ship as he will lead the trail with me. Francis (one of our shipmates) decided to tag along so off we went. Up and down the hill we went. This is not to say I had a "flashback" but this trail somewhat reminded me of the jungles of Panama except with the absence of rain.

Da flat
We took a few wild game trails up the hill and upon coming up the flat were both east and west coasts reviewed a spectacular view-and a more promising view to the south flat with numerous spectacles of cattle, Sid only informs me "shoot first, ask questions later" I jokingly asked "who will I ask questions if I should you first" only to come back with "la'nao Frang". I pointed into the direction of a hill on the south-east and informed Sid "that's our fire direction" as he acknowledged.

We slowly made our way closer toward the cattle. Two loners to our left while the rest of the herd grazed on the right, still about a couple of meters but I wanted a sure shot so I moved closer not knowing my two companions had stop several few meters behind me. I guess the two loners to my right picked up my presence as they first took off running followed by the rest. I jumped to my feet, aimed but had their behinds towards me as they trotted away from me. Kept my aim on no particular head but as they all had no other way to run but back towards my direction, I just fired into the group as I wasn't about to become a victim of a stampeding herd. Fired three shots as they started running off down hill to my right.

O2 needed
I had not seen Sid and Francis behind me or anywhere in the direction where the herd was now headed so I ceased firing-fearing I might hit them. Just then I started hearing shots fired as the herd came pass them both. I aimed again (at no particular target) but into the running herd, fired several shots and started running downhill after them. I stopped a few meters from where I had started running, took aim at a bull behind the herd, fired a few more shots as I saw it started coming to a walk. Gave aim at another, fired and on the ground it went crashing. All the while Sid was also shooting into the same direction. I just didn't know which target he was aiming at but into the herd.

I started running down the hill again after the trotting bull which had now stopped under some trees obviously injured but still standing. I had ran out of ammo (you stupid *uck) and called up towards Sid who was still in his previous choice of firing position. He and Francis came down running to where I had chose to catch my breath-flat on my ass.

"Da thing"
"Hafa" Sid asked as I was still sitting breathless pointing into the helpless bulls direction. Sid attempted to get closer but the bull started walking off away from sight. I just watched as Francis and Sid proceeded towards the direction of the cow, Sid taking aim, gave it a single shot and I asked Francis, "is it dead" and only replied "no". Sid took another aimed, shot again and came the same question from me "is it dead" with the same reply from Francis "no". I only looked at Sid who was taking another aim "lania Sid ti Waake enow" as he took another shot and turned "yeah, ti waake nay na gaaga".

Sid headed back to the village to get the rest of the party and after 30 minutes was back to our location with the slaughtering cavalry who had also managed to bring along with them a wild boar which had been attacked by the accompanying dogs. Cutting up the 3 cows was easy but the travel back with the meat to the village was something else we had to decide how to best handle without killing ourselves.

Change of Plan
Sid decided the fastest way to get the meat on the boat was take it down towards a place they called "the Chapel" which was nothing but a formation of rocks on the east coast. It was all down hill and less distance than back tracking it back to the village. Besides, it was getting dark that even the silhouettes of the fruit bats were out flying above us.

Plan "B"
Sandy was to go back with K.C. to the village, take all the cargo out to the ship and have the ship brought to the back side of Pagan. With little time to work with, plan "B" was activated. All the meat was brought down to the beach on the east coast of Pagan. The problem we now faced as we arrived on the beach was something else to take into consideration. The tide had just started rising and the waves bigger than expected. The small channel we had planned on bringing in the small boat was almost impossible to use.

We collected the plentiful coconut husks on the beach, built ourselves two fires and sat beside them as we considered other options. Julius informed us it was a bit risky to use the small channel we had thought off using to transport our cargo of raw meat. Got our heads together as we observed the ship slowly approaching our way and decided against "Plan B". Besides, the small boat operator was turned back to the mother ship as we didn't want to risk bringing it in with the current condition-dark and pounding waves.

Plan "C"
There's was no Plan "C" until now. We're all speaking vernacular and felt sorry for our other hunting buddy who did not understand shit of what we spoke off so we had to make him understand that we were to stay on the beach and make a break for the channel come first light. We're hungry and John jokingly suggested we roast one of the hind legs for dinner. Arlin had separated some soft part of the meat in a separate plastic bag of which he brought out. "Sirloin" he said and out came some of Sandy's "escape supplies" stashed right there on the beach. Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Black Pepper and believe me not, aluminum foil and tomato ketchup that was among a few from his supply. This really wasn't survival style but rather a sumptuous dinner for us on the beach.

Bunked up
Everyone started getting comfy on their own piece of huge lava rock-make shift bed. Julius gathered dried coconut fronds which he lay on. I did the same except, the spot I had chose later became infested with ants. It's around 3:30 a.m. and couldn't hack the ants anymore so I collected more coconut husk, built two more fires (only these were much bigger) and lit up the entire camp. Everyone else started getting up and either chew or light up a smoke complaining why I had to built those brightly large bodies of fire.

Just as we could now clearly see the channel at first light, K.C. comes speeding into the channel with the small motor boat. We loaded the meat and our equipment and off we went to the mother ship only to explain to the Captain of how we came about with "Plan C". The rest from there on was back to catching more fish. Anyhow, I was surprised to see the stray calf on the ship.

Going, going, gone North

Dawn on Pagan's east coast where the boys call it "JURASSIC PARK" for its ghostly rock formation.

The village of Pagan in the foreground right above the water level. Note the rising smoke from the top of the "Buutkaan".
Sid & Sandy "Paganese" Castro-out to meet the boys on the ship. Sandy is the real McCoy with four consecutive years residency under his belt. He speaks so many dialects that he can communicate with the silos, the sibwa, waake and many other creatures including his best dog buddies on Pagan whom I can only name a few such as Buutkaan, Boboy, Na-ture and Soba. He can also speak to the abundant fishes and other sea living creatures too.

The Santos Boys of Alamagan loading Saipan bound cargo "da NAVY SEALS style". Surfs' a bid rough that loading was impossible from the regular loading/off loading landing beach.
All attempts taken...to keep goods dry-but how with the every rising surf? No problemo!!! ALAMAGAN SEALS at work.
Flores na Gindai on da lines off the south-east coast of Alamagan.
Be it Onaga or White Tuna. Francis and Ton can catch them free-diving with a pair of goggles using a single empty bottle of Soju full of air down to a mare 200 meters deep of water. The thing about it though is, they have to dive bare butt naked or the fish don't come to them.
Just one of the many gigantic Wahoos that just come flying onto the ship without using a single line or hook. They just come landing on the deck for no apparent reason but probably thinking "please take me home and fry me".

Francis with one of the PRIZE CATCHES.

Joe "Ay Baybay" Manalo just wants to jump ship and swim ashore onto Alamagan already.

If the pictures aren't so interesting for some, then maybe the following anecdote will be...

Joe "Ay Baybay" and Ton "Suicidal"-each have a farm worker. One day they decided to get together and have a bar-b-q when Joe Ay Baybay said "you know what par? I think my farmer is a bid slow with communication" Ton Suicidal goes "why do you say that par" and Joe Ay Baybay replies "wait" and calls on his worker "Peppito", Peppito (his worker) comes running "yes boss". Joe Ay Baybay took out a dollar bill and says "take this dollar bill, run to the store and get us ten cases of beer, "yes boss" replies Peppito as he runs off to the store.

Ton Suicidal turns to Joe Ay Baybay and says "you think your worker is slow, wait and see what my worker can do". He calls on his worker "Carlito" and Carlito comes running, "yes boss". Ton Suicidal tells him "run to my house, see if I'm there. If I'm not there, call me on my cell phone". "Yes boss" replies Carlito as he also runs off on this errand given by boss Ton.

Along the way, Peppito and Carlito met when Carlito asked "ay parre, wherr yu go'n". Peppito replied "parre, I tink my boss is crazy. He tell me to go to da store to buy ten case of beer with dis wan dolla, but how am gone to carry ten case of beer"

"Ai parre" goes Carlito "you think yo boss is crazy. My boss is plenty more crazy" "Why parre" asked Peppito. Carlito continued "he tell me to run to his house, check if he's der and if he's not der, I call him on his cell phone-but I don know his cell phone number".